Though told over only a year, Lady Bird goes through a lifetime's worth of identity struggle in this film. Gerwig's light, fluttery direction, jumping so nimbly from scene to scene that it takes on the feeling of a half-remembered dream, belies the aching intensity and weight of every action, word, and gesture. The film ends as quickly as it begins, and by the end, while the past 90 minutes were undoubtedly difficult, you just wish they were longer.

Cinema, perfected.